1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: S/C Boost Disappears...

Leaky boots was my problem, put new silicon ones on, problem gone.

 

That sounds like a good place to start, especially if you have non-stock ones, but as it heats it may leak. If you are lucky, when you examine them you will see an obvious issue.

 

I agree, check the IC boots.
I went back to OEM boots after using aftermarket silicon boots because the silicon where difficult to get on and did not seem to fit as tight as the OEM style.

 

Interesting. I had a leak, but the dealership tech suggested that I get some of the heavier silicone IC boots. On my GMRS intercooler, they seem to get a better fit (though perhaps that is because the GMRS input and outputs aren't a great match to the OEM... close, but not perfect).

Using the OEM IC, I'd bet that the OEM boots get a better seal.

 

Another trick is to sand down the ends of the clamps, so you can squeeze a little tighter.

 

Color me as another that went the way of Silicon boots and then went back to OEM. That's not to say OEM is perfect, just better. They do need to be replaced now and then too. Change mine with every Coil, Plug Wire, Plug change. For me that is an annual event.

 

You change the coil every year??

Yep, back to OEM boots for me also...

 

Coil and Plug Wires, once a year in the spring.

 

Just curious, do you change the plugs etc every because of mileage, just time to do it, or...? I've owned mine since April and am wondering what to do for preventive maintenace. ( Maybe should be a new thread?) Still trying to et comfortable with 15k oil changes!:eek6:

 

We should probably start a new thread to discuss.

 

Yes

 

Still loving my Alta couplers..........very tight and no leaks.

There is a trick to getting them on with little drama. Just loosen the front mounts and you can move the IC around to get the boots on much easier.